PGTA has Pasco influence to thank for its success

The Phil Green Tennis Academy 3.5 North division squad is based in Pinellas County, but nearly all the players live in Pasco.

Comprised of players ranging in age from 19 to 60-plus, the team has played to a tie with Countryside Country Club with a 4-1 overall record. The two also are tied in individual positions won (16) and lost (nine). Countryside has only a two-set edge over PGTA.

Earlier, PGTA beat Countryside 3-2 after losing its first match to East Lake Woodlands by the same score.

Captain Stan DeFreitas, the team's lone player who doesn't live in Pasco, relies on David Biren and Matt Stokes for most of the singles competition, but has Malcolm Slive, Sherif Hanna and Adam Stosur ready when needed.

"David usually plays No. 1 for us and Matt is unbeaten in No. 2," DeFreitas said. "Malcolm plays some singles for us, Sherif has won each time for us and Adam has real potential to be one of our best."

Biren, in USA Adult League Tennis for the first time, especially likes the camaraderie.

"I also like getting the exposure to other clubs and getting a chance to see what they're like," Biren said. "I live near Pasco-Hernando Community College and play mostly on the hard courts there, so playing on the soft courts at the clubs has taken some adjusting."

Biren, 3-0 at No. 1, hones his game hitting with Stokes of Port Richey.

"I hadn't played for more than 10 years, after hurting my shoulder," Stokes said. "About three years ago, I got the itch to play and decided I would give it a try again."

Stokes never played until the summer of his high school sophomore year. After playing the No. 3 spot in high school, Stokes went on to play a couple of years at Fredonia State in New York.

When Stokes returned he found his hockey experience helped his tennis game.

"My forehand's pretty good, but when I need my money shot, I go to my backhand," Stokes said. "When I played hockey, I shot left-handed, so my backhand in tennis is accurate with a lot of control.

"Our team has gone to the playoffs the last two years and I think we can do it again. Adding David to the lineup definitely toughened us up in the singles area."

Rounding out the team are Ramsay Ihns, Michael Longworth, David King, Jim Smith, Anthony Lorina and Al Virgus.

PGTA faces Royal Racquet Club (4-2) Saturday, followed by Kronk Tennis Center, Royal Racquet a second time, Countryside and East Lake through May31.

ADULT LEAGUE: In women's competition in the USA Adult League, Westin Innisbrook Resort raised its record in the 3.5 Tie Breakers to 2-3 with its 4-1 win over Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. Dale Slive won in straight sets in No. 1 singles, as did No. 1 doubles Debra McGinley and Shirley Ahrens, No. 2 Sue Luidens and Janet Martyn and No. 3 Bonny Boosales and Josie Doucette. Saturday, Innisbrook travels to Countryside.

Innisbrook's 4.0 team earned one point against the St. Petersburg Tennis Center, by Kay Clark and Lucy Gomez in No. 1 doubles. Innisbrook plays Countryside Saturday.

In men's 3.5 Central competition, PGTA raised its record to 3-1, beating Largo Tennis Center 4-1. Richard Hough scored a 6-0, 6-0 win in No. 2 singles for PGTA; other straight-set winners were captain Ed McGinley and John Kuhn in No. 1, Ken Hogle and David Wisotsky at No. 2 and Joe Gari and Dick Lashley at No. 3. Saturday, PGTA hosts McMullen.

NATIONAL TITLE: Among 15 area players in this month's Easter Bowl Championships, a USTA Super National junior tournament in Palm Springs, Calif., Marc Spicijaric of Wesley Chapel captured the boys 16 singles title. No. 1 Spicijaric, 16, advanced through the 128-player draw to beat the No. 3 seed 6-4, 0-6, 6-0, in the final. Spicijaric has trained with Jimmy Brown at Saddlebrook for six years.

NET SHOTS: Frank Foster of Valrico was a finalist in the men's 35-and-over division in last weekend's Spring Classic in Safety Harbor. Rachel Molina of Tampa won the women's 35 round-robin competition and her husband Andres was a men's 45 finalist. Bill Cantrell was the 45 consolation draw winner.

Valrico's Zoe Kent upset top seed Amanda Yogus of Largo to win the girls 16-over title 6-3, 6-4 in last weekend's SPTC Easter Juniors Classic in St. Petersburg. Melissa Narzissenfeldt was a finalist in the girls 12; Naoaki Enomoto (14), Cameron Babbitt (18) and Dillon Brozyna (18) semifinalists; Kosuke Hasegawa a consolation winner.

The Florida Sectional Adult Mixed Doubles Championships are this weekend in Daytona Beach. Representing the area are Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in the 7.5 and East Lake Woodlands in the 8.5.

COMING UP: The Hunter's Green Junior Championships begin Saturday in Tampa for singles players. Call Bill Macon, (813) 973-4220, today. ... The Temple Terrace Adult Championships are May 3-5 at the Temple Terrace Tennis Center. Call tournament director Manny Mariani, (813) 989-7178, by the Apr. 30 deadline. ... The K-Swiss Tennis League will register through May 14 for its summer season (May31 to July 27). Playoffs start July 30. Check www.ultimatetennis.com for details.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright